# Anybody Else Think Bill Nye Would Make A Cool Teacher in Space? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [January 27, 2003, 12:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anybody-else-think-bill-nye-would-make-a-cool-teacher-in-space/151127 "2003-01-27T00:58:51Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 11\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Tuckerfan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/eada6e/32.png) [@Tuckerfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tuckerfan)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2003, 12:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anybody-else-think-bill-nye-would-make-a-cool-teacher-in-space/151127/1 "2003-01-27T00:58:51Z")
Since the Bush administration is talking about continuing the “Teacher in Space” program, it hit me that they ought to let Bill Nye go, in addition to the other teacher’s they select. After all, Nye’s had a nifty kid’s show about science for years now, so he’s well-known and has a built in following. Plus, I have to think that Nye’d be really entertaining to watch! ---
**Author:** ![Snooooopy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ee7513/32.png) [@Snooooopy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snooooopy)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2003, 1:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anybody-else-think-bill-nye-would-make-a-cool-teacher-in-space/151127/2 "2003-01-27T01:01:16Z")
Well, he DID have a stint on “Battlebots,” so he’s got a leg up on that Beakman dude. ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2003, 1:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anybody-else-think-bill-nye-would-make-a-cool-teacher-in-space/151127/3 "2003-01-27T01:34:43Z")
Bill Nye would be an interesting choice. He’s got some credentials, too, he used to be an engineer at Boeing. ---
**Author:** ![zweisamkeit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zweisamkeit/32/4360_2.png) [@zweisamkeit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zweisamkeit)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2003, 1:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anybody-else-think-bill-nye-would-make-a-cool-teacher-in-space/151127/4 "2003-01-27T01:37:01Z")
YES. God, I love Bill Nye. He and “Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego?” kept me watching PBS all afternoon after school when I was younger. 🙂 I still sing his “roygbiv” tune every so often. [sub]I wish that PBS would bring back “Square One” though. I _loved_ that show so much it’s not funny. And I don’t care if Noggin shows it; I don’t get Noggin anymore, and even when I did, it was at some stupid time like 5.30 am on Sunday.[/sub] ---
**Author:** ![drewbert](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drewbert/32/15890_2.png) [@drewbert](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drewbert)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2003, 2:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anybody-else-think-bill-nye-would-make-a-cool-teacher-in-space/151127/5 "2003-01-27T02:27:01Z")
Absolutely! While I’m glad NASA has renewed the (watch out - cheesy flash animation and music ahead) [teacher in space](http://edspace.nasa.gov) program… well, I’m afraid that they may pick a great classroom teacher, but won’t bother to see if the person has a good on-camera personality. After watching hours of NASA TV and attending NASA educator workshops, I’m convinced they wouldn’t know the difference. [sub]:: gets off his butt and signs **Tuckerfan** ’s petition, already ::[/sub] ---
**Author:** ![Santos\_L\_Halper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/santos_l_halper/32/1_2.png) [@Santos\_L\_Halper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Santos_L_Halper)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2003, 2:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anybody-else-think-bill-nye-would-make-a-cool-teacher-in-space/151127/6 "2003-01-27T02:52:05Z")
He hasn’t actually been a teacher though, has he? From **drewbert** ’s link the requirements for an applicant are: > [@](#): > > Certified K-12 Educator, with a minimum of 3 years of in-classroom teaching experience within the past four years. > > A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in one of the following areas: > > [ul][li]Education with a concentration in one of the following disciplines: mathematics, physical science, engineering, or biological science. A “concentration” means a minimum of 18 semester hours or equivalent (however 24 hours is desired) in the respective discipline. [/li][li]Physical Science [/li][li]Biological Science [/li][li]Engineering [/li][li]Mathematics[/ul][/li]In addition to meeting the above basic qualification requirements, candidates whose experience included a year of teaching or performing scientific, engineering, mathematics or related technological work related to aerospace, space flight, or spacecraft design and operations may initially be appointed at the GS-12 or GS-13 grade level. > > Ability to pass a NASA Class II Space Flight Physical I think he’d be a great choice, however. His broadcasts would be not only educational, but _way_ cool! Maybe we should start a write-in campaign to NASA? 🙂 Eric ---
**Author:** ![Tuckerfan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/eada6e/32.png) [@Tuckerfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tuckerfan)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2003, 2:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anybody-else-think-bill-nye-would-make-a-cool-teacher-in-space/151127/7 "2003-01-27T02:58:59Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Santos L Halper \* > \*\*He hasn’t actually been a teacher though, has he? From **drewbert** ’s link the requirements for an applicant are: > > I think he’d be a great choice, however. His broadcasts would be not only educational, but _way_ cool! Maybe we should start a write-in campaign to NASA? 🙂 > > Eric \*\* **YES!** And we oughtta bug the White House and our elected representatives as well! ---
**Author:** ![Leaper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/4bbf92/32.png) [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2003, 3:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anybody-else-think-bill-nye-would-make-a-cool-teacher-in-space/151127/8 "2003-01-27T03:06:42Z")
One question: Can you speedwalk in space? ---
**Author:** ![flertbert](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e5b9ba/32.png) [@flertbert](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flertbert)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2003, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anybody-else-think-bill-nye-would-make-a-cool-teacher-in-space/151127/9 "2003-01-27T16:05:30Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Snooooopy \* > \*\*Well, he DID have a stint on “Battlebots,” so he’s got a leg up on that Beakman dude. \*\* Huh? He did? When? ---
**Author:** ![Kn\_ckers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/96bed5/32.png) [@Kn\_ckers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kn_ckers)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2003, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anybody-else-think-bill-nye-would-make-a-cool-teacher-in-space/151127/10 "2003-01-27T16:07:04Z")
Bill Nye - coolest Science Guy EVER. Give that boy a seat in the Shuttle. **Zweisamkeit** - you just named my three favorite PBS kids’ shows. Bill Nye, Carmen Sandiego, and Square 1. Good stuff. ---
**Author:** ![vibrotronica](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/a9a28c/32.png) [@vibrotronica](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vibrotronica)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2003, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anybody-else-think-bill-nye-would-make-a-cool-teacher-in-space/151127/11 "2003-01-27T16:45:52Z")
Bill! Bill! Bill! Bill! Bill!